- Powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine and dual electric motors
- Electric-only range of 127km
It appears that Chinese automakers are finally waking up to the realization that going global involves more than just EVs and high-performance, technology-laden SUVs with over 1,000bhp. Family-oriented cars are a must too. This is where the new BYD Ti7 comes into play – a large seven-seater SUV that gives us a peek into what could eventually work in India.
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The Ti7 is a rather large SUV, measuring well over 5.1 metres in length. It sports the typical rugged SUV looks along with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, featuring a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with dual electric motors and all-wheel-drive. According to BYD, the vehicle can achieve 0 to 100kmph acceleration in less than five seconds and deliver an electric-only driving range of approximately 127km (WLTP).
What makes the Ti7 particularly interesting for India is its powertrain. India’s EV landscape is developing rapidly, but there is still reluctance among the premium customer base when it comes to charging infrastructure and practicality on longer journeys. A capable plug-in hybrid with substantial electric-only range could be just the right thing, especially in the seven-seater SUV segment dominated by the Toyota Fortuner.
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But the issue here is pricing and positioning. The Indian market may not be ready for a full-size PHEV SUV from BYD, which will definitely be positioned in the luxury segment. However, it can play the role of a halo product for BYD. What is more important is that this product proves that BYD is no longer thinking about only EVs and if the customers start liking hybrids in large SUVs again, this may prove to be a breakthrough product.
